Ready to capture the beauty under the sea? If you love snorkeling, you know the underwater world is full of colorful fish and cool stuff to see. To make sure you don’t miss anything, you need one of the best underwater cameras for snorkeling.
These cameras aren’t just for experts; they are great for anyone who wants to take pictures or videos underwater. In this article, we’ll check out these cameras and find the top ones that would not cost much or provide the best performance. So, without wasting any time, let’s dive into the ocean of the best underwater cameras for snorkeling.
OM System (Olympus) Stylus Tough TG-7
| Image Sensor | 1/2.33” CMOS, 12MP |
| Lens | 4x Optical Zoom, 25 – 100mm |
| Monitor | 3” LCD, 1040K Dots |
| Focusing System | TTL iESP Auto Focus, Super Macro |
| Exposure System | Aperture Priority, Shutter 1/2 – 1/2000s |
| Scene Modes | 22 including Landscape, Portrait |
| Art Filter | Various, including Pop Art, Vintage |
| Sensitivity | ISO 100 – 12800 |
| White Balance | Auto WB, Custom WB, Preset Values |
| Sequence Shooting | 20fps (Max Frames: RAW 46 / JPG 74) |
| Image Processing | Noise Reduction, Distortion Comp. |
| Flash | AUTO, Fill-in, Manual |
| Wireless Flash Control | Olympus Wireless RC Flash |
| Still Image Recording | DCF 2.0, EXIF 2.31, RAW Support |
| Movie Recording | 4K (3840 x 2160) / 30p, 25p, HD, 720p |
| High-Speed Recording | 480fps (640 x 360), 240fps (720P) |
| Time Lapse | 720P (AVI Motion JPEG) |
| Sound Recording | Available, PCM Format, Stereo Mic |
| View Images | Event, Index, Slide Show, Zoom |
| View Movie | Fast Forward, Frame by Frame |
| Image Editing | Aspect Ratio, Saturation, Monochrome |
| Power Supply | LI-92B Lithium-Ion Battery |
| Dimensions / Weight | 113.9 x 32.7 x 65.8mm, 249g |
The OM System TG-7 is the ultimate underwater camera for snorkeling. This compact and robust digital camera is designed to capture the beauty of the deep. It can be the perfect companion for snorkelers, divers, and all water enthusiasts.
The TG-7 does not require separate housing up to 50 feet under the water. So, you can dive right in with confidence. Besides that, its 4x zoom lens, including macro focus, allows you to capture stunning underwater scenes and get some close-ups.
Moreover, it has a durable, dustproof, and waterproof design, which makes it a reliable choice for any environment. It is equipped with a 12MP sensor, 4K video capability, and underwater white balance settings.
You can stay connected with its wireless features, and explore a range of accessories to enhance your snorkeling experience. The TG-7 is the go-to choice for underwater photography with its unbeatable macro and zoom capabilities.
Pros
- Operates up to 50 feet under the water
- Budget-friendly option
- Small and lightweight
- Amazing focusing features
- Outstanding image stabilization
- A lot of accessories
- Solid build
Cons
- Poor image quality
- Not enough video features
- Old and difficult interface
- Video stabilization is not up to the mark
- Poor performance in low-light
Canon G7X II
| Type | Digital camera with built-in flash |
| Image Capture Device | 20.1 Megapixel, 1.0-inch CMOS |
| Total Pixels | Approx. 20.9 megapixels |
| Effective Pixels | Approx. 20.1 megapixels |
| Lens | Focal Length: 8.8mm (W) – 36.8mm (T) |
| Optical Zoom | 4.2x |
| Digital Zoom | 4x |
| Autofocus System | TTL Autofocus, Manual Focus |
| LCD Monitor | 3.0-inch tilt-type TFT color LCD |
| LCD Pixels | Approx. 1.04 million dots |
| Aperture | Maximum Aperture: f/1.8 (W), f/2.8 (T) |
| Shutter Speed | 1/2000 sec. (Auto mode), 15-1/2000 sec. (all modes) |
| ISO Sensitivity | ISO 125-6400 (Auto mode), Max ISO 12800 (P mode) |
| White Balance | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, etc. |
| Built-in Flash | Auto, On, Slow Synchro, Off |
| Shooting Modes | C, M, Av, Tv, P, Hybrid Auto, and more |
| Self Timer | Off, 2 sec., 10 sec., Custom |
| Wireless Control | Wi-Fi / NFC |
| Continuous Shooting | One Shot H: 8.0 shots/sec., Servo H: 5.4 shots/sec. |
| Storage Media | SD/SDHC/SDXC and UHS-I Memory Cards |
| File Format | JPEG, RAW (Canon original: 14-bit, CR2), MP4 |
| Playback Functions | List/Play Digest Movies, Story Highlights, and more |
| Interface | Audio Out, Hi-Speed USB, HDMI, Wi-Fi, NFC |
| Power Supply | Battery Pack NB-13L, Battery Charger CB-2LH |
| Operating Temperature | 32–104°F / 0–40°C |
| Dimensions | 4.15 x 2.40 x 1.65 inches |
| Weight | Approx. 11.3 oz. (with battery and memory card) |
The Canon G7X Mark II is a versatile and compact underwater camera that is perfect for capturing your underwater adventures. This camera delivers stunning image quality even when you need to crop your shots with a 1″ sensor. Its fast F1.8-2.8 lens offers a zoom range from 24-100mm. It allows you to capture every detail of your underwater world.
Moreover, the G7X Mark II is the ideal choice for snorkelers, thanks to its automatic underwater scene mode settings. It produces vibrant JPG photos without any need for manual white balance adjustments. However, the main drawback of the G7X Mark II only offers 1080P video quality.
Additionally, it provides great ease of use and faster performance with a comfortable rubber grip, improved touchscreen, and a fast DIGIC 7 image processor. It performs effectively in low-light conditions and has impressive autofocus capabilities.
Indeed, the Canon G7X Mark II is a top-notch choice for underwater photography enthusiasts. Although it lacks 4K video, it provides superb image quality and ease of use.
Pros
- Large sensor
- Fast lens with amazing low-light performance
- Wide zoom range
- Has a specific underwater mode
- Comes with underwater housing
- Touchscreen display
- Impressive autofocus
Cons
- Does not 4K video recording
- No microphone and headphone ports
- Distorted images with wide-angle mode
- No viewfinder
- Does not support external flash
- Inefficient autofocus at high speed
- Low buffer depth
DJI Osmo Action 4
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 70.5×44.2×32.8 mm |
| Weight | 145 g |
| Waterproof | Up to 18 m without case, 60 m with case |
| Microphones | 3 |
| Touchscreens | 1.4-inch (Front), 2.25-inch (Rear) screens |
| SD Card | microSD (up to 512 GB) |
| Recommended SD Cards | Various models |
| Camera Sensor | 1/1.3-inch CMOS |
| Lens | FOV: 155°, Aperture: f/2.8 |
| ISO Range | Photo: 100-12800, Video: 100-12800 |
| Max Photo Resolution | 3648×2736 |
| Video Recording | 4K, 2.7K, 1080p, Slow Motion, Hyperlapse, Timelapse |
| Stabilization | RockSteady 3.0, HorizonBalancing, HorizonSteady |
| Pre-Rec | Pre-Recording: 5/10/15/30/60 seconds |
| Max Video Bitrate | 130 Mbps |
| File System | exFAT |
| Audio Recording | 48 kHz 16-bit; AAC |
| Battery | LiPo 1S, 1770 mAh, 160 minutes |
| Connection | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
The DJI Osmo Action 4 is a compact and waterproof camera that is your ideal companion for snorkeling and aquatic adventures. It can withstand depths of up to 18 meters without the need for housing. The camera’s standout feature is its 1/1.3-inch sensor, delivering exceptional 4K video resolution at up to 120fps. Overall, it ensures top-notch image quality even in low-light conditions.Â
Also Read batteries for the blink cameras
Moreover, the manufacturers have included a D-Log color profile with 10-bit color to enhance color depth and dynamic range to capture captivating underwater footage. Your videos remain steady and smooth, even during high-action moments with its RockSteady 3.0+ stabilization feature.
The intuitive dual touchscreens and user-friendly interface make operating this camera very easy to use. So, you can definitely check out the DJI Osmo Action 4 to elevate your underwater filming experience and capture the unique beauty of the aquatic world.
Pros
- Operates up to 18 meters under the water
- Exceptional video quality with 4K recording
- Effective low-light performance
- Dual touchscreens
- Long battery timing with fast charging
- Rocksteady 3.0+ Stabilization
- Magnetic mounting
- Includes amazing accessories
- Support voice activation commands
- Manual Pro controls
Cons
- Image resolution is very low
- Ultra-wide angle mode does not work well in closeups
- No portrait, HDR, and night mode
- Smaller image size
- Audio quality is affected under the water
Conclusion
To summarize, each camera we’ve discussed has its own unique strengths, so it really comes down to your personal preferences and needs. Like, the OM System TG-7 is a reliable choice, especially if you’re on a budget, and its underwater features are hard to beat. If you’re all about image quality and versatility, the Canon G7X Mark II will not disappoint, although it may not record 4K videos.
To get the thrill of high-quality underwater footage, the DJI Osmo Action 4 is a game-changer with its impressive 4K video and superior stabilization. Remember, whether you are just starting or pro at snorkeling, taking amazing underwater pictures is now really easy. So, get one of these great underwater cameras and jump in the water.
